Hong Kong – The Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and injuries in a devastating No. 3 alarm fire at New Lucky House in Jordan. The fire resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, prompting Mr. Lee to extend his heartfelt condolences to the affected individuals and their families.
Mr. Lee has emphasized the importance of the incident, directing the Hospital Authority to prioritize the treatment and care of the injured. Additionally, he has tasked various departments, including the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department, to investigate the cause of the fire and the significant casualties. Instructions have also been given to the Home Affairs Department, Social Welfare Department, and other relevant agencies to handle the aftermath appropriately and provide necessary support to the families of the deceased and residents impacted by the fire.
In a separate development, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Bank of Thailand introduced the FPS x PromptPay Link for cross-border QR payments between Hong Kong and Thailand. This initiative allows travelers from both regions to conduct retail transactions by scanning QR codes displayed by merchants using mobile payment applications.
Responding to inquiries at the Legislative Council, the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr. Joseph Chan, highlighted the growth and implementation of this payment connectivity initiative. Noting the increased usage by Hong Kong visitors in Thailand, efforts are being made to encourage more merchants in both locations to participate in the cross-border QR payment system.
The FPS x PromptPay Link has gained popularity among Hong Kong visitors to Thailand, ranking third in payment volumes for cross-border QR code transactions in the country. In efforts to further promote the initiative, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has rolled out various publicity campaigns and incentives to entice travelers to leverage the convenience of the cross-border payment method.
Continued collaboration between financial institutions in Hong Kong and Thailand is expected to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the FPS x PromptPay Link. Through these efforts, the aim is to provide a seamless and secure payment solution for travelers from both regions, further solidifying the connectivity between Hong Kong and Thailand in the realm of electronic payments.